‘嘈扰’ (cáo rǎo) is a compound noun meaning 'disturbing noise' or 'disruptive clamor' — the kind of loud, chaotic sound that interrupts peace, concentration, or rest. The first character 嘈 (cáo) conveys noisy, raucous commotion (often associated with crowds or overlapping voices), while 扰 (rǎo) means 'to disturb' or 'to disrupt'. Together, they emphasize noise that actively interferes with normal activity — not just volume, but its intrusive, unsettling effect.

This word is commonly used in urban or public contexts: busy markets, construction sites, rowdy gatherings, or malfunctioning equipment. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone and appears more often in writing (news reports, essays, official notices) than casual speech. Unlike general terms like 噪音 (zào yīn, 'noise'), 嘈扰 stresses the *impact* of noise — annoyance, distraction, or violation of quiet — making it especially fitting when describing violations of quiet hours, classroom disruptions, or neighborhood complaints.